Recently in Weddings Category

Q. I want to wear a beautiful Black Linen Suit to a wedding in Houston, Texas. The temps are still reaching 80 degrees and to me that is still warm. What’s the BLACK linen rule?
-Linen After Labor Day

A. For many parts of the country, linen is usually packed away after Labor Day. For southern states, you can stretch it through October due to warmer temperatures, but as we enter November, it’s time to put away the linen in any color unless you‘re headed on a Caribbean cruise or a night out in Hawaii.

Q. I am attending a semi formal party in the next two weeks. Although I am in the South (Atlanta, GA) it is quite cold. Can I wear pantyhose with open toed shoes and a cocktail dress? The dress is maroon. If I can wear hose what color/style do you recommend? Any advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
-Hosiery how-to

A. Either choose to match the dress color with a sheer patterned maroon color or go for a black patterned hose to give a little oomph to the dress. You can wear open toe shoes with hosiery as long as you don’t wear a sandal foot style hose and tuck any visible seams underneath your toes.

Jonathan Aston Stringer pantyhose (left), $14 at figleaves.com
Jonathan Fleur tights (right), $14.99 at mytights.com (also available in burgundy)

Q. My third daughter is getting married in March and she wants me to wear a brown color.  She says it suits me for my hair and skin, but to me, March is a Spring thing and browns signify  fall…what  should I do? Time is running out.
-Spring Thing 

A. Brown, chocolate and bronze colors don’t necessarily signify Fall when worn as a dress or a formal suit.  What’s most important is that the color looks good with your skin tone, that you choose a dress or suit that fits your body well and is flattering to your figure and that you feel good wearing it and representing your family.  And, of course, you’d like to make your daughter happy as well.

The Adrianna Papell Charmeuse Halter Gown with Scarf shown here would look just as beautiful in the Spring as it does in the Fall.  $168 at nordstrom.com

Q. I am getting married in Vegas at the end of October and I have this beautiful white cocktail dress that I am wearing (I bought it but never had a chance to wear it), but I can’t seem to find a decent shoe to go with the dress.  The dress is a BCBG white low cut, above-the-knee dress.   Do you have any ideas? 

- Wedding Bells

A. For a wedding in Vegas you definitely need to add some shine and glitz to what you wear on your feet:

Touch Ups Gemini
$61.95 at zappos.com

Nina ‘Mabel’ Sandal
$78.95 at nordstrom.com

Nina ‘Barbra’ Sandal
$88.95 at nordstrom.com

Q. We have been invited to my husband’s cousin’s wedding in Connecticut this October.  This is the first time I am stumped about what the 2 girls (age 9 & 13 ) and I should wear.  The reason I am unsure is because we are going to the rehearsal dinner with the family.  Is it  inappropriate to wear the same dress to the dinner and the wedding or should the dinner be more casual with slacks and then a dress to the wedding?  I only have a week and a half to get us all situated so it would be great if you had some advice.

A. Don’t repeat, that’s a big no-no.  The rehearsal dinner is an intimate, special occasion that only certain people are invited to.  Depending on where the dinner is being held will dictate the dress code.  I would suggest that you choose an outfit that is considered a step above casual. It is always safer to look better for an occasion than being dressed down.  Dress better and people will remember your respect for the occasion and sophistication.  I’d choose a simpler dress or a skirt with an appropriate top.  And obviously your dress for the wedding should be dressier than the rehearsal gathering.  As for the girls, they can be more casual if they are attending the rehearsal, but put them in dresses for the wedding day.